S1 got into his CS major at UCSD with 800M/750W SAT 3.85UW and max load AP with mostly 5s. He chose it over Berkeley in part because he definitely wanted CS major and didn’t like the uncertainties of placing in. Later we ran across reddit postings where UCSD students with 3.9 college GPA complained they were not getting into CS because the competition was so fierce. I think now that they’re modifying the admittance criteria for CS to be a mix of GPA and lotto. Also they’re adding more CS-ish majors like Data Science to absorb demand.
This brings me to S3 who appears to want to follow in big brother’s footsteps and go for a CS major. He has A’s in math and AP science and is on the Calculus track. But he’s a little inattentive on the “boring” non-STEM classes where he’s earning more B’s than A’s. Assuming he continues strong performance in math and science and 3.6ish UW overall - where in California might he have a shot at getting into his desired major? Most of the sites that talk about admissions criteria show GPA and standardized scores for the school overall but are murky for placing into specific majors. Any insight appreciated. Info on nearby states welcome too.
What is S3’s UC/CSU GPA? https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
SAT/ACT scores? Any subject tests? EC’s related to CS?
He’s just finished sophomore year - so he’s only been able to take one AP (bio) and one honors. But it calculates at 3.75 UC. He’s self studying classes in CS and data science. He’ll take Spanish AP next year and Mandarin 3rd year Mandarin next year. No SAT’s yet.
with a 3.7+ and decent test scores, all but the most selective programs will be open to him. SDSU, CSULB, UCR, Chico and Sac all have solid programs and should be well within reach.
Is AP Computer Science an option for Junior year? What level of math will he have completed by Senior year? Also why 2 languages? Agree with @NCalRent there are many options but dependent upon grades for Junior year and test scores. CS continues to be ultra competitive for all UC’s and top CSU’s so a bit early to formulate a list. He wants to aim for a UC GPA of 4.0 for the UC’s, around a minimum 1300 SAT and 28 ACT for UCM/UCR and maybe UCSC. Also strong Math grades and good SAT subject tests especially Math II will help. CSU’s admit by Eligibility index and major so once he completes his Junior calculate his EI.
https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index
He’s doing Calculus AB junior year and he had an A in precalc. They ran out of spots in CS AP. But he’s doing some fairly intensive data science w python work over the summer. I haven’t seen the elibility index before.